Marek Ryczek

Spatial Variabilty of Chosen Soil Properties on Mountainous Area on Example of Kasińczanka Stream Basin, Western Carpathians

The phenomenon of erosion on mountain and submontane areas influences directly on high variability of soil properties. In the work there were presented results of analysis of spatial variability of bulk density, total porosity, organic matter content and saturated hydraulic conductivity, on eroded slopes of the Kasińczanka stream basin. Geostatistical analysis was carried out using the kriging method, based on irregular network, consisted of 52 points, situated by means of the GPS. Taking into account the calculated variability coefficient it was stated, that on the investigated area, the most flexible spatially was saturated hydraulic conductivity, while the less flexible turned out total porosity. Using the determined models of semivariance, the maps of spatial variability of chosen parameters were drafted. It was stated that high value of variance influenced on higher smoothing of spatial distribution in interpolation. Results of geostatistical analysis will allow to find locations for new measuring points, what has substantial significance in mountain areas, for precision analysis of soil properties. Based on the obtained results, it can be stated that the kriging method may be useful tool for determination spatial variability analysis of soil properties on an areas of mountain basins.

Valuation of natural assets of some raised peat bogs against a background of Bieszczady Mts. landscape of the Lutowiska district

Abstract The “Land of the Valleys” lying in the area of the Lutowiska district in the Western Bieszczady Mts. is undergoing unwelcome succession-related changes, such as for example the extinction of valuable plant species or even whole plant associations, and the disappearance of the mosaic pattern of biocoenoses. It is therefore necessary to conduct investigations aimed at assessing the natural values of this region. The natural assets of the Lutowiska district, where the three raised peat bogs under study (Wołosate, Litmirz and Tarnawa) are situated, were assessed using the Oświt [1995] method for the natural valuation of wetlands and associated landscapes. The method involves awarding points to three groups of indicators: (i) the scope and forms of nature conservation; (ii) general natural values; and (iii) the richness of wetland biotopes, plant communities and flora [Oświt and Dembek 1995]. Altogether, the district scored 60.7 valuation points (with 9 points for relief richness included), which allows classifying it as an area with very high natural values (class VIII on a scale of I-X). Streszczenie Na terenie „Krainy dolin” w Bieszczadach Zachodnich zachodzą obecnie niekorzystne zmiany sukcesyjne polegające między innymi na wymieraniu cennych gatunków roślin, a niekiedy nawet całych zespołów roślinnych oraz zanik mozaikowego układu biocenotycznego. Z tego względu bardzo ważne jest prowadzenie badań mających na celu ocenę walorów przyrodniczych tak cennego obszaru jakim niewątpliwie jest obszar gminy Lutowiska. Ocenę wartości przyrodniczych obszaru gminy Lutowiska na terenie, której zlokalizowane są 3 badane torfowiska (Wołosate, Litmirz i Tarnawa) przeprowadzono za pomocą metody waloryzacji przyrodniczej mokradeł i związanych z nimi krajobrazów opracowaną przez Oświta [1995]. Metoda ta opiera się na punktowej ocenie [Oświt i Dembek, 1995]: zakresu i konserwatorskich form ochrony przyrody, wartości ogólnoprzyrodniczych oraz bogactwa mokradłowych biotopów, zbiorowisk roślinnych oraz występującej flory. W sumie razem z punktami (9 punktów) jakie gmina otrzymała za bogactwo rzeźby otrzymujemy 60,7 punktów waloryzacyjnych. Wynik ten pozwala nam na zaklasyfikowanie jej do obszarów o bardzo dużych walorach przyrodniczych (VIII klasa w 10 stopniowej skali waloryzacyjnej).

Estimation of water erosion threat of the Smuga stream basin in the Beskid Wyspowy / Ocena zagrożenia erozją wodną zlewni potoku Smuga w Beskidzie Wyspowym

Abstract In this work, results of evaluation of potential water erosion threat of the Smuga stream basin in Beskid Wyspowy were presented according to the USLE model and the GIS techniques. The basin area is 5.40 km2; mean height is 636.4 m a.s.l. and mean basin slope is 21.32%. The basin is in a significant part covered by forest which is 54.26%, grasslands occupy 8.15% and arable lands 34.63%. The highest water erosion threat takes place on arable lands with high slopes and defective cultivation. Calculated soil loss is 2078.59 Mg yearly, which gives a unitary loss of 3.85 Mg for 1 ha. This classifies the investigated basin as very low threatened – second class in sixth degree scale.